How To Paint Concrete Patio To Look Like Flagstone (DIY Step-By-Step w/ Videos)

Do you have a concrete patio in your backyard?

Do you wish you had flagstone?

Are you looking for an affordable and easy way to have faux flagstone as part of your backyard setup?

If any of this sounds like you, then you’re in the right place!

In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to paint concrete patio to look like flagstone​. This is a great option for anyone who may want to have the classy appearance of flagstone in the backyard without any of the trouble associated with having it.

But why wouldn’t you just put down flagstone instead? Isn’t it nicer overall than concrete? There are some great reasons why you might want to use painted concrete as faux flagstone instead of laying down actual flagstone in your backyard. Here are a few of them:

Concrete is easier to keep clean. Flagstone can be very challenging to clean off and even tougher to keep the grout in between the stones clean, too. When you have concrete instead, you don’t have to worry about the cleaning process, and you can simply rinse it off as normal.

Concrete is better in cold weather and rain. If you live somewhere that’s simply too cold for flagstone to lay in your backyard without cracking, concrete painted to look like flagstone can be a great weather-appropriate alternative.

It’s cheaper to paint concrete. If you’ve already got concrete in place, you’d have to tear it up and lay new flagstone to get the look you’re going for. Or you can simply paint your existing concrete and enjoy all the benefits of flagstone with none of the downsides.

Whatever your reason might be, you’re sure to love the end results when you paint your existing concrete slab to look like flagstone. We’ve got all the information you need below to help you shop for this easy and fun DIY project and accomplish the task in just a few short hours, too. So let’s get started!

Materials Needed

This is a very easy and affordable DIY project that won’t take too long to complete, either. Read through the steps below to learn a little bit more about what makes some of these materials optional before you go out and start making purchases. Also, consider the colors of the paint and compound you choose to work with as well. You may want to match some existing concrete or other decor in your backyard, so take your time when making a color decision.

Optional: Plywood cut in the size of the space you’re working with

Optional: Floor primer

Scraper

Concrete compound

Spray paint in a color lighter than the concrete compound

Painter’s tape

Rubber gloves for safety

Steps

1

If you don’t already have a concrete slab in place, cut a piece of plywood to fit the size space you’re working with. This will serve as a foundation for your concrete faux flagstone.

2

Prime the plywood and leave it for a couple of hours to get it ready for use for this DIY project. You may need two coats of high-quality floor primer to accomplish this step.

3

Clean the primed and dried plywood.

4

If you have a concrete slab already in place, you can begin from this step: Use painter’s tape to create zig-zag lines to look like the space between the stones in traditional flagstone.

Note: Remember that flagstones don’t usually come in squares, so you’re not looking for anything perfect and you also aren’t looking for brick-style rectangular outlines, either.

5

Use a scraper to smooth the concrete compound all over the plywood (or existing concrete slab). Be sure to cover up the tape you just laid down.

6

Keep in mind that flagstone isn’t perfectly smooth, so you should leave some lumps and texture in the compound you’re spreading.

7

Let this dry completely before moving on to the next step.

8

Use a lighter colored spray paint and spray around where your tape lines are located.

9

Next, pull up the tape carefully to reveal the patterns you created beneath.

10

Remember that you don’t have to do flagstone for this project, necessarily. You can choose between a wide variety of different colors, geometric patterns, and sizes of tape to create the looks you want most in your backyard or other outdoor space.

11

If you chose to work with an existing concrete slab, you should be ready to use your newly-decorated outdoor space right away. If you used a plywood piece instead, you will need to lay it down in the yard before it can be used.

12

Remember that if you lay down plywood in your backyard, this should be a temporary fix, especially if you aren’t using it under any type of cover.

Conclusion

Do you feel confident in your ability to paint your patio to look like flagstone? This is a pretty simple project that should only take a few hours to complete, and it’s great for anyone regardless of skill or experience level. As long as you can mix concrete compound and use spray paint, you’ll be able to complete this task and make your patio look better than ever before. And if you’re looking for something to get the kids involved with, don’t hesitate to get them to help lay down the painter’s tape for this project, too! They’re sure to enjoy being part of the DIY fun.

Don’t forget that you need to seal the paint on your painted concrete patio to make it last as long as possible! If you use outdoor-safe paint you’re already well on your way to a longer-lasting patio design, but be sure to use some outdoor sealant for flooring in order to keep everything looking and functioning perfectly for as long as it possibly can. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy lots of time on your newly-painted concrete patio and you won’t have to worry about foot traffic or weather causing problems, either.

If you’re still concerned about extending the life of your painted patio, don’t hesitate to cover it. Whether you put up a more temporary porch or patio cover structure or you simply hang up some sun shades to protect your patio from the sun and rain, you’ll be doing a lot to help the paint stay in place for a long time to come. This can be the best way to encourage your patio to stay looking as great as it did on day one—and it may encourage you to spend even more time outdoors, too!

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Last update on 2019-03-21 at 10:16
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